Mrs. Queen Takes the Train

Queen Elizabeth II, feeling melancholic about changes in the modern world, impulsively leaves Buckingham Palace incognito one day. Her unexpected departure sets off a chain of events as palace staff scramble to locate her before her absence becomes public knowledge. A diverse group of royal employees bands together to track down the Queen, including her dresser, stable girl, butler, lady-in-waiting, cheese shop clerk, and an equerry. Their search takes them through London and beyond as they follow clues to Her Majesty's whereabouts. The story alternates between the Queen's solo journey and her pursuers' efforts to find her, revealing the inner workings of palace life and the personalities of those who serve the monarchy. The parallel narratives expose the connections and contrasts between those above and below stairs in the royal household. Through its exploration of duty, tradition, and change, the novel examines what it means to be authentic in a role defined by protocol and public expectations. The story considers how people in all positions navigate between their public responsibilities and private selves.

Readers describe this as a light, cozy fiction that provides an imagined glimpse into Queen Elizabeth II's private life. Most appreciate the book's gentle humor and the humanizing portrayal of the Queen as she navigates ordinary situations. Readers liked: - The accurate details about royal protocols and palace life - Well-researched historical elements woven throughout - The supporting cast of palace staff characters Common criticisms: - Plot moves too slowly in the middle sections - Some found the multiple character perspectives confusing - Several readers expected more focus on the Queen herself Ratings: Goodreads: 3.61/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (450+ ratings) "A charming escape that feels authentic to royal life" - Goodreads reviewer "Too many side plots with minor characters" - Amazon reviewer "Captures small details of British culture perfectly" - LibraryThing review

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🔷 Author William Kuhn is a historian who has written several non-fiction books about British royalty, making him well-versed in the details of palace life he portrays in this novel 🔷 The book was partially inspired by the real Queen Elizabeth II's genuine love of trains and her frequent travels on the Royal Train throughout her reign 🔷 Many of the locations featured in the novel, including the Royal Mews and the cheese shop in London, are real places that can be visited today 🔷 The author spent time working in a cheese shop in London to research authentic details for scenes in the novel 🔷 The story's premise of the Queen going incognito among ordinary people echoes real incidents where British monarchs have attempted to experience life as commoners, including King Henry V and Edward VIII